Apparatus for mounting tanks in a cargo vessel



Jan. 30, 1951 H. MARLOW EIAL APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING TANKS IN A CARGOVESSEL Filed on. 20, 1947 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 30, 1951 H. MARLOW ET AL2,539,453

'APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING TANKS IN A CARGO VESSEL Filed Oct. 20, 1947 v 4Sheets-Sheet 2 llj 1|I u 5 &1 iii Q T :I: I" ,p

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Jan. 30, 1951 H. MARLOW ET AL APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING TANKS IN A CARGOVESSEL 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed 001;. 20, 1947 Jan. 30, 1951 MARLOW ET AL2,539,453

APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING TANKS IN A CARGO VESSEL Filed Oct. 20, 1947 4Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Jan. 30, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEAPPARATUS. FOR, MOUNTING -I A NI Sv IN A. CARGO VESSEL.

Harry'Marlow and James E; Steele, Beaumont,

Tex., assignors tion, Tulsa; Okla.

to' Warren' Petroleum Corpora- Application October 20, 1947, Serial No.780,820

7 Claims;

Our invention consists in new and useful improvements in apparatus formounting tanks in a cargo vesseland relates more particularly to.

sure or by shifting of the ship structure, while.

at the. same time maintaining the tanks securely in position.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for sealing thespaces between thetanks and the hold of the ship to eliminate thepossibility of weather, water, or the contents of the.

tanks, entering the hold.

A further object of the invention is to provide a rigid base mountin foreach of the tanks while the upper portions of the tanks above the baseare permitted to expand and contract in a verti cal direction.

A still further object of the invention is toprovide means which, inaddition to securing, the tanks in position, subject to verticalexpansion and contraction, will maintain the annular shape of the wallsof the tanks and avoid distortion due to pressure conditions within thetank. Our

improved structure will permit Wide variations in temperature andpressure structure itself.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, our invention consists in the novel featuresherein set forth, illustrated in the accompanying drawin s.

and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings in which numerals of like character designatesimilar parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation, partly in section, showing oneinboard. tank andone outwithout placing strains or stresses on the shipstructure, as allmovement of the tanks is independent of the ship boardtank of each row, mounted in accordance with our invention;

Figure 2' is an enlarged transverse sectional view showing the tankwed'ging means and coam ing ring sealing means for the hatch of one of'the inboard tanks;

Figure 3 isan elevational view taken at right angles to Figure 2, withcertain parts omitted for clarity;

Figure i is a sectional View taken on line 4'-4 of Figure 2, furtherillustrating the tank Wedging means Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectionalview illus-- trating the base mounting of one of the'tanks; Figure 6 isa fragmentary planview showing asegment of one of the circular baserings;

Figure? is avertical sectional view of the sealing means for the manholeriser of one of the outboard tanks; and

Figure 8-is a transverse sectional view of the structure shown in Figure7;

In the embodiment of our invention illustrated in Figure 1; Itrepresents one of a series of Iongitudinally spaced tanks forming aninboard row, and I! represents one of-a similar series of tanks formingan adjacent outboard row, said tanks being located in the hold of acargo vessel substantially entirely below the deck l2 thereof. From thispoint "on, we Will discuss the various elements of our invention byreferenceto individual tanks, it being understood that each of theinboard tanks i0, is mounted inthe same. manner and likewise, each ofthe outboard tanks.

is mounted in the samemanner.

The base of the inboard tank Ill is rigidlyv mounted in thehold of thevessel by means of a. vertically disposed circulartsleeve 63, the upperportion of which encircles'the base of the tank with its edge preferablyWelded to. the tank wall. The lower edge of the sleeve i3 is Welded' toan annular ring'M-forming an inwardly directed flange, reinforcediatspaced intervals by brackets l5 welded or otherwise suitably secured tothe sleeve E3. The sleeve [3 and ring M are bolted to an annular tankfoundation it, having aninwardly directed flange ll, thus firmlysecuring the base of the tank in place against movement .in anydirection. For purposes of ad justment, an annular chock l8- may beinterposed betweenthe rin Ill-and flange ll;

The outboard tank H is similarly mounted by means of a sleeve 13a weldedto the wall of the tank and secured to an annular foundation lfia, thelatter being preferably of greater height than the foundation l6 for theinboard tank H), due to the difference in the sizes of the two tanks.

The upper end of the inboard tank i8 extends through the hatch iii, thelatter being bounded by a vertically extending coaming ring 29 having anoutwardly extending flange 2i and being reinforced at intervals aroundthe ring by a series of vertically disposed, radiating fins 22. A wedgeretaining ring or collar 23 surrounds the upper portion of the tankadjacent the upper end of the coaming ring and is spaced outwardly fromthe walls of the tank It, said wedge retaining ring having welded to itsouter face, an annular flange 24 which rests upon and is welded to thecoaming ring flange 21, thus rigidly securing the wedge retaining ring23 in fixed relation to the coaming ring 26. 4

At spaced intervals within the wedge retaining ring 23, we providesegmental wedge units 25, preferably composed of hardwood or othersuitable material. As shown in Figure 3, which omits the coaming ring 23and the flange 24 for purposes of clarity, the wedge units 25 arepreferably made-up of a series of individual vertically disposed wedgeelements arranged in juxtaposition, in the form shown, four suchelements being employed. As shown in Fig. 4 each of these wedge elementsis arcuate in transverse cross section so that the composite wedgingsurface of each wedge unit forms a segment which conforms to the contourof the adjacent area of the wall of the tank. The upper extremities ofthe wedge units are inclined inwardly toward the tank In to support across plate 25, the opposite extremities of which extend beyond therespective wedge units and are apertured to receive the upper ends ofhook-like adjusting bolts 27, the lower ends or hook portions 28 ofwhich are directed outwardly and engage suitable openings 23 in thewedge retaining ring 23. By means of nuts 38, threadedly engaging theupper ends of the bolts 21, the plate 26 is drawn downwardly to causewedging action of the wedge units 25 within the ring 23.

Interposed between each of the wooden wedge unit 25 and the inner wallof the wedge retaining ring 23, we preferably provide a supplementalsteel wedge member 3i, the inner face of which is inclined in theopposite direction from the inclination of the adjacent face of thecorresponding wedge unit 25. Thus, when the tank is being adjusted intoposition the supplemental wedge members 3| are tapped into place fromtheir lower edges, after which the nuts 30 are tightened on the bolts21, forcing the wedge units 25 downwardly to firmly wedge the tank inplace. By this arrangement and the proper disposition of the series ofwedge units, it will be apparent that the walls of the tank aresupported radially against stresses and strains caused by variations inpressure within the tank and distortion of the tank wall is avoided.

Similar wedging assemblies may be employed at various locationsintermediate the vertical extremities of the tank, one such additionalmeans 2311 being illustrated in Figure 1, wherein the wedge retainingring is suitably secured to a rigid support 32. From Figure 1, it willalso be seen that the outboard tank H is supported in a like. manner byan identical wedge assembly 23b secured to the supporting means 32within the hold of the ship.

Referring to Figures 1, 2, and 3, the sealing means for the inboard tankl0 consists of an annular hood-like umbrella plate 33 preferablycomposed of copper or galvanized metal, its upper edge embracing andbeing secured to the outer face of an annular flanged ring 3t which iswelded or otherwise secured to the tank l0 above the wedge means 25. Thelower portion of umbrella plate 33 flares outwardly and hoods the wedgeassembly, its lower edge overlying the retaining ring 23 and beingsecured at spaced intervals around said ring by means of brackets 35,welded to the outer face of the ring 23.

Beneath the metallic umbrella plate 33, we provide additional flexiblesealing means which preferably consists of one or more layers ofwaterproof canvas or similar material 36, the opposite edges of whichare secured in place by the same means which secure the umbrella plate.The securing means illustrated consist of bolts 31 arranged at spacedintervals around the flanged ring 34, the inner ends of said boltsabutting clamping rings 38 so that the edge of the canvas element 36which is interposed between the ring 38 and the wall of the tank It, isfirmly pressed against the tank wall. The bolts 31 extend through theupper portion of the umbrella plate 33 and carry lock nuts 39 by meansof which the upper portion of the umbrella plate may be firmly clampedagainst the outer face of the flanged ring 34.

The lower edges of the umbrella plate 33 and the canvas sealing means 38are similarly secured in place within the brackets 35 by bolts 40, nuts41 and clamping ring 42, as will be seen from Figure 2. By thisarrangement the required degree of flexibility required to compensatefor expansion, contraction and slight shifting of the tank with respectto the ship structure, is permitted due to the nature of the materialsemployed in the sealing means. The shape and material of the metallicumbrella plate 33 protects the sealing assembly against injury by solidobjects and at the same time permits relative movement of the tank. Thecanvas sealing means 36 underlying the umbrella plate, being tightlysealed at its edges, protects the hatch i9 against the weather andavoids the entrance of any of the tank contents into the hold of theship.

Again referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that the outboard tank IIis entirely below the deck I2 with its manhole riser Ha extendingthrough a suitable opening in the deck. Means generally similar to thesealing means for the upper portion of the inboard tank are employed forsealing the area around the riser Ila. The deck I opening is providedwith a coaming ring 43 as shown in detail in Figures 7 and 8, saidcoaming ring extending through the opening in the deck and being weldedor therwise rigidly secured in place in spaced relation to the manholdriser I la. An outwardly and downwardly flaring umbrella plate 44composed of copper, galvanized metal, or other suitable material,preferably provided with a central annular crimp 45 to permitflexibility, is clamped around the riser Ila and the upper end of thecoaming ring 43. Any suitable means may be employed for securing theumbrella plate 44 in place so as to form a hood for the upper end of thecoaming ring, the means shown in the drawing comprising clamping rings46 and 41 secured by suitable bolts and 5, nuts. 48-and 49. Rubber.packing ringsiilare preferably inserted between the umbrella plate Man'd theadJacent' faces of, the manhold riser Ila and the coamingringdtltoiinsurethe sealing of the deck opening. Due to the smaller areato be protected-by themanhold riser sealing means, the specificstructure of the'latter may be modified from that employed at the hatch.Thus, the canvas sealing member 35 is replaced by the packing rings 50.In this arrangement the umbrella plate-protects against hard or solidobjects entering the coaming ring and the rubber packing ring sealsagainst moisture and weather.-

Tanks mounted in accordance with our invention are readily adaptable forthe piping connections and fluid control system illustrated anddescribed in the aforementioned applications of Rex V. Phelps. It willbe apparent that tanks mounted as herein described are assured a firmrigid support at their bases, yet are permitted a suflicient degree offlexibility to compensate for expansion, contraction and the shiftingmovement of the ship structure while under way, or while loading.Furthermore, the openings provided in the deck for the reception of thetanks are effectively sealed against the weather, and the tanks aresupported against distortion by the improved wedge means abovedescribed.

From the foregoing, it is believed that our invention may be readilyunderstood by those skilled in the art without further description, itbeing borne in mind that numerous changes may be made in the details ofthe construction without departing from the spirit of the invention asset out in the following claims. Furthermore, it will be apparent thatwhile we have described our invention as used in connection with a cargovessel, the various elements of the invention may be employed in anyenviroment where the ends herein sought, are to be attained.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an assembly for supporting and reinforcing the upper portion of avertical tank which projects through an opening in a platform, a coamingring bounding said opening, an annular retaining ring having verticalside walls freely encircling said tank means securing said retainingring to said coaming ring in parallel, spaced relation to the walls ofsaid tank, wedge means interposed between the vertical side walls ofsaid retaining ring and the wall of said tank, firml embracing thelatter at annularly spaced points, to prevent outward distortion of saidtank and yieldingly gripping said tank to compensate for relativemovement thereof with respect to said platform.

2. In an assembly for supporting and reinforcing the upper portion of avertical tank which projects through an opening in a platform, a coamingring bounding said opening, an annular retaining ring having verticalside walls freely encircling said tank means securing said retainingring to said coaming ring in parallel,- spaced relation to the walls ofsaid tank, supporting elements interposed between the vertical sidewalls of said retaining ring and the wall of said tank, firmly embracingthe latter at annularly spaced points, to prevent outward distortion ofsaid tank and yieldingly gripping said tank to compensate for relativemovement thereof with respect to said platform, and separate sealingmeans comprising a flexible hood sealed at its upper edge around saidtank at a point above said ring, with itslower. edgeroverlying saidretaining ring, and means -carried.bythe latter for sealing saidoverlying edge. around the outer surface of said retaining ring.

3. In an assembly forsupportingand reinforcing the upper portion-of avertical tank which projects through an opening in a platform, a coamingring bounding said opening, an annular retaining ring; having verticalside walls freely. encircling said tank, means securing said retainingring to said coaming ring in parallel, spaced relation to the walls ofsaid tank, a series of wedgemembers of. arcuate transversecrosssec-tion, arranged inspaeed relation around said tankand interposedbetweenthe latter, and the vertical side walls of said retaining ring,said wedge members firmly embracing the wall of said tank to preventoutward distortion thereof, and yieldingly gripping said tank tocompensate for relative movement thereof with respect to said platform,and adjusting bolts respectively anchored at one end on said retainingring with their opposite ends operatively engaging said wedge membersfor forcing said wedges into operative engagement between said tank andring.

4. A tank mounting assembly for a vertical tank which projects throughan opening in a platform, comprising a fixed retaining ring mounted insaid opening in spaced relation to said tank, a series of segmentalwedges arranged in spaced relation round said tank and in wedgingrelation to said ring, adjusting means comprising a plate spanning theupper extremities of respective wedges, and means operatively engagingsaid plate for forcing said wedges into engagement with said tank.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said wedges are arranged ingroups, said plate spanning the upper ends of respective groups ofwedges, and adjusting bolts extending between said plate and ring forforcing said wedges into operative engagement.

6. In combination with a coaming ring of a cargo vessel and a verticaltank extending therethrough, tank supporting and reinforcing meanscomprising an annular retaining ring having vertical side walls freelyencircling said tank, in parallel spaced relation to the walls thereof,means securing said retaining ring adjacent the upper end of saidcoaming ring, a series of wedge units spaced around said tank betweenthe vertical side walls of said retaining ring and the wall of saidtank, said wedge units firmly embracing the tank to prevent outwarddistortion and yieldingly gripping the tank to compensate for relativemovement thereof with respect to said coaming ring, and adjusting meansanchored on said retaining ring for forcing said Wedge units intooperative wedging engagement.

7. Means for supporting and reinforcing a vertical tank mounted in thehold of a cargo vessel and projecting through a coaming ring of thevessel, comprising an annular retaining ring having vertical side wallsencircling said tank in parallel spaced relation to the walls thereofadjacent the coaming ring, means securing said retaining ring to thecoaming ring, a second annular retaining ring having vertical side wallsencircling said tank, in parallel spaced relation to the walls thereofat an intermediate point between said first ring and the lower extremityof the tank, means securing said second retaining ring in fixedposition, a series of wedge units spaced around said tank between eachof said retaining rings and the wall of said tank, said 8 wedge unitsfirmly embracing the tank to pre- Number Name Date vent outwarddistortion and yieldingly gripping 1,841,417 Murphy Jan. 19, 1932 thetank to compensate for relative movement 2,048,312 Zulver July 21, 1936thereof, and adjusting means for forcing said 2,073,982 Woodruff Mar.16, 1937 wedge units into operative wedging engagement. 6

HARRY MARLOW FOREIGN PATENTS JAMES E. STEELE. Number. Country Date 1,372Great Britain May 14, 1866 REFERENCES CITED 5,298 Great Britain Nov. 26,1825 The following references are of record in the 10 OTHER REFERENCESfile of this patent: Book publication: Boat Construction by H. 1. UNITEDSTATES PATENTS Chapelle, pub. by W. W. Norton 00., N. Y., 1941;

pages 313 and 581-583, inclusive. Number Name Date 48,767 Gove Ju1y 11,1865 15

